Nonbeliver thoughts about marriage and divorce
If the known line "what god joined together no man can separate" applies, then how can there be a thing called divorce?
Let's say you get married (Yes, YOU. There is no way I'm gonna do it now or any time soon. Maybe ever.), you go through the whole charade of it.
You and your future partner says their yeses, the priest says his line mentioned above. Even though neither of you believes in god.
Then some time later, you realize that the relationship doesn't work and you get to the divorce court/hearing. Now the thought/question that pains me comes along.
What or who is more powerfull? God or government?
Government is man-made thing.
God is, according to some book(s) and some people belives, above the man - more powerfull than a man.
And if "what god joined together no man can separate" is valid (rule, statement, line in the bible) how can some government agent undo what god did?
I heard that in US, the courts have some bible includung charade involved before anyone can speak.
But with divorce, to me, it's kinda contradicting act.
First you swear on the bible. Then you do what is against the bible... and some people get away and/or even rewarded for doing so.
It just confusing.
If god is above all man, then how come a man-made thing be above the god?
that's weird hierarchy...
Can anyone explain this shit to me in simple language?
Hi there moodymajk,
You pose a good question and asked for a simple answer. So I will do my best here. It first starts off with your question. You said at the beginning of your post and throughout that the Bible says: “what God joined together no man can separate.”
Actually the Bible does not say that. Here is the correct quote: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”” (Matthew 19:6, NIV)
The distinction here is that this is about obedience. Jesus is saying that after God has brought two people together, man should not break that bond. He is not saying that it “can’t be done”, He is saying that it “shouldn’t be done”. In fact, he goes on to talk about divorce in this passage (I have copied it at the end of my comment for reference).
Jesus does say that Moses permitted divorce due to the hardness of people’s hearts. He is not saying that makes it okay to get a divorce; He is simply recognizing that some people are so hardened that they refuse to reconcile- yet this is not how it was from the beginning.
I understand that you are not a believer, but I’m sure you recognize that we live in a fallen world. People do stupid stuff all the time that hurts other people (The Bible calls this sin). Because we live in this kind of world, people are going to do dumb things, they are going to hurt each other, they are going to break their vows (in marriage and in other ways). It is a sad reality that we live in, that is why there are wars, etc.
As for the courts and (specifically US Courts), they don’t speak for God. Yes they have people swear upon the Bible, but many of those people who swear upon the Bible have no idea what the Bible says. Many people take God’s Word out of context. Some do it because they just don’t know any better and others do it because they are being malicious and they pervert the Word of God.
I wanted this to be a simple answer for you. So here it is in the simplest terms. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). He doesn’t want people to get a divorce, but sometimes people mess up in life- even those people who Love God, sometimes go against what He wants for their life. But the great thing about God is that He is a forgiving God. He died for us because He knew that we couldn’t do it on our own. So while God doesn’t like it when His people (Christians) get a divorce, they are His people, He still loves them and forgives them and that is one thing that we can always trust in- Nothing can separate us from the Love of God:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39, NIV84)
I hope that helps and answers your question, if not, please let me know. Below is the other passage I spoke about for your reference.
Blessings, JR
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.”” (Matthew 19:1–9, NIV84)
This world you're living in have rules and authorities, thus, those authorities should be respected. You see, I am not against anyone but the truth still remains that no marriage is complete if first they don't get the seal from the government. I feel they are not wrong going to the government to sign their divorce letters. You are having an issue with them not going to God if they really want to divorce in a "right way" but they won't go to church because 90% of the church leaders will always advice them not to divorce and trust me if you go to your pastor to tell him you want a divorce then you are not sure you really need the divorce.
I am @geekis, I blog about marriage and relationship.